CLASS OF 2017!!! Woodville Tompkins Wolverines

HOPE GPA vs Transcript GPA The only place you can see your HOPE GPA is on your www.gafutures.org (this was the old gacollege411 website) profile. Neither Woodville Tompkins, nor Chatham County Schools, calculates your HOPE. You can do the math yourself with your transcript. Count how many C’s you’ve made versus how many A’s you’ve made. They must balance out.

Cummulative GPA The GPA on the bottom left-hand side of your transcript is an overall GPA of ALL of your high school courses. Some colleges will look at this GPA…the more competitive schools will look at your HOPE (or academic GPA). Our transcripts only list the numeric GPA.

Weighted vs Unweighted GPA These GPAs have nothing to do with your HOPE. Weighted GPA is your GPA with your honor, AP and Dual Enrollment points. Honors= 3 pts extra points on final average AP/Dual= 5 extra points on final average Unweighted is without those points added. The more honors/AP/Dual enrollment courses, the higher your potential rank

Calculating your HOPE GPA The easiest way to see if you are eligible is to count how many C’s (70-79) you have made in your academic classes (all English, math, science, social studies and world languages). **Remember to take away the Honors/AP/DE extra points. For example, if you made an 81 in Honors Biology, that really is a 78…which is a C.

HOPE Scholarship HOPE Scholarship is available to all students that graduate from a Georgia high school with a 3.0 ACADEMIC GPA. Only English, math, science, social studies and world language courses will be used to calculate this GPA. HOPE Scholarship pays 85% of your tuition at any Georgia public university (UGA, Savannah State, Armstrong, etc). It also pays a portion at private universities (Emory, Mercer, etc). The only thing GSFC (Georgia Student Finance Commission) looks at to calculate whether or not you are eligible, is your transcript.

Zell Miller Scholar Must meet all HOPE requirements Must graduate with a 3.7 GPA in Core Subjects as calculated by GSFC Must have a 1200 SAT Score in Critical Reading and Math from one test OR Must have a 26 ACT Composite Score from one test Note the HOPE Changes information sheet for the link for the Zell Miller Scholar Award Amounts by college Val and Sal automatically qualify for Zell Miller.

Areas that cause an eligible student not to show eligible for the HOPE: 999 number is in the student information system rather than valid Social Security Number Incorrect Social Security Number Incorrect Legal Name Incorrect birth date and/or high school name Student must carefully and continually check HOPE information on My411 account on GACollege411.org

College Applications When to Apply: NOW Where to Apply: for ALL in-state colleges, use the gafutures.org website. Before you apply…Make sure that you meet the qualifications. Check the minimum GPA requirement & SAT/ACT test scores. *Applications can cost between $25-$75. Don’t waste your $ if you don’t meet with minimum requirements.

College Applications The earlier you apply the better. A large % of the scholarship money the colleges give, are on a first come-first serve basis. Some colleges, like Kennesaw State, do their housing on a first come-first serve basis. The longer you wait to applying, the chances are you may lose out on money and housing. **It is ok to apply before you’ve taken your SAT or ACT…as long as you know you meet the GPA requirement.

Letter of Recommendations Some colleges (and A LARGE percentage of scholarships) will require a letter of recommendation for a counselor and/or a teacher. **You must give at least a week notice if you need a letter of recommendation. You will also need to provide a resume.

Transcripts You will send all transcripts through the gafutures.org website for in-state colleges. Out-of-state colleges will require you to provide the address and there will be a fee of $2 to send those. **If you want an unofficial transcript for your records, you can print one from the gafutures website or from Powerschool.

Transcript Info Transcript history is really important and the senior letter lists all of the requirements for graduation diploma type courses required pathway completion information There needs to be a focus on current classes and doing well in each class. All grades count toward the overall GPA and earning credits for graduation! Transcript history started being built at the end of first semester of the ninth grade year and for some students during the 8th grade year with the Middle School Spanish course.

Gafutures website Set your secure account on the website to track and manage their individual: High School Courses and Grades Co-curricular and Extra Curricular Activities Honors and Awards Career Explorations Postsecondary Choices Monitor HOPE Scholarship Eligibility

PROBE FAIR, Sept 20, 6-8 p.m. Oglethorpe Mall The Probe Fair is an excellent time to visit with college, university, technical college and military representatives. 100+ reps will be on site.

Important Dates Senior Parent Night: September 27th in Cafeteria @ 6:30 **There will be a mini-college fair beforehand from 5-6:30. A list of the colleges & military branches attending will be provided soon. Apply to College Month: November Financial Aid Night: Jan. 9th 6pm Cafe

Financial Aid Opportunities & Scholarships FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed… even if you have HOPE Scholarship

Scholarships Local Scholarship List- start coming in around January. Local Scholarship Applications -Applications will be on the guidance webpage. -Deadlines will be the responsibility of the student. **Create a www.fastweb.com profile ASAP.

FAFSA Big changes with FAFSA- now it’s much easier and faster. This will be discussed at the Senior Parent Night on Sept. 27th. Don’t say you can’t go to college bc you can’t afford it….FAFSA is federal aid and can help pay for your education.

MOWR Yes you can do MOWR even if you are taking all year-long courses. You DO NOT have to be finished with you high school requirements to take college courses. You will be taking Duel Enrollment courses…meaning you will get both high school and college credit. You must apply ASAP if you are wanting to do MOWR next semester. Applications and information is on the guidance webpage or go to the college webpage. Yes you can do MOWR even if you are taking all year-long courses.

MOWR For admissions to Savannah Tech, you will need to take their placement test (formerly known as the COMPASS). For admissions to Savannah State, you will need the required SAT/ACT test score and GPA. *You will need to check with the college on what the required scores and GPAs are for their school.

SAT/ACT Dates are posted on the wall near the guidance office and online at SAT.org or ACT.org You must register for the test online…we do not handle registrations here on campus. If you are on free or reduced lunch, you can use 2 fee waivers for the SAT and 2 for the ACT. You must check with Mrs. Irizarry to see if you qualify.

SAT/ACT info **It’s important that you take advantage of sending your 4 free score reports when you register for your test. Take the time to look up the codes for the colleges you want your scores sent to…this will save you a lot of money when you start applying to college. Woodville does not send your official scores…those will only come for SAT or ACT website. Costs $12 to send ONE.

The Selective Service All 18 year old males must register with the selective service. This is a requirement for financial aid and HOPE scholarship.

Checklist for Seniors Get organized! Know your deadlines SAT and ACT Testing Information Links for test preparation including SAT, ACT & EOC preparation on GACollege411 site. HOPE Q & A ALL Grades Count Use www.gafutures.org account

Checklist continued Know where to find NCAA information and how/when to register Follow guidelines of local school on lead time needed for the application and/or letters of recommendation process Always ask questions and ask for help!